Gas vs Electric Wall Ovens: Performance, Cost and Installation

Key takeaways

• Electric wall ovens usually offer more even heat and gentler, predictable baking, while gas ovens can give faster, moister roasting but are often less even without a fan.
• In the UK, electric ovens typically cost more per hour to run than gas, but high efficiency and good use of residual heat can narrow the difference.
• Electric wall ovens are generally simpler to install if you already have a suitable circuit; gas ovens need a gas-safe engineer and careful ventilation.
• If you want a straightforward, efficient upgrade, a fan-assisted built-in electric oven such as the Hisense BI62212ABUK single oven is a strong option for most households.
• Switching from gas to electric usually means adding a dedicated electrical circuit; switching from electric to gas usually requires running a gas line and checking ventilation.

Gas vs electric wall ovens: quick overview

At a basic level, a gas wall oven burns natural gas or LPG to produce heat, while an electric wall oven uses heating elements powered from your home’s electrical supply. Both can be built into a tall housing unit or under a worktop, and both can be single or double ovens.

Electric ovens have become dominant for built-in models in the UK, especially for fan-assisted and multifunction designs that offer grilling, defrosting and convection baking. Gas built-in ovens still exist, but the choice is narrower and the feature sets are usually simpler. This does not mean gas is outdated; it just means you need to be clear on what you value most: energy cost, cooking style, or access to modern features.

Cooking performance and heat distribution

Cooking performance is where many people notice the clearest difference between gas and electric wall ovens. It affects how evenly cakes rise, how reliably you can bake multiple trays and how moist your roasts turn out.

Electric wall ovens

Electric ovens use top and bottom heating elements, often with a fan to circulate hot air. This generally leads to very even temperatures throughout the cavity. For bakers, that can be a big advantage: sponge cakes, meringues and delicate pastries respond well to steady, dry heat.

Fan-assisted electric ovens are particularly good when you want to cook multiple trays at once. For example, you can bake two trays of biscuits on different shelves and expect them to colour at roughly the same rate, provided you follow the manufacturer’s shelf recommendations.

Modern electric built-in ovens also tend to offer more cooking modes, including grill, fan grill, gentle or eco baking and sometimes steam-assisted functions. A model such as the Cookology COF600SS fan oven illustrates how even entry-level electric ovens often include a fan, programmable timer and multiple heating combinations.

Gas wall ovens

Gas ovens produce a moist heat because burning gas releases water vapour. This can help prevent food from drying out, which many people like for roasts, casseroles and baked dishes like lasagne. However, traditional gas ovens without a fan often have more temperature variation between shelves, with hotter spots near the flame and cooler corners.

That unevenness is not always a problem: experienced cooks know to rotate trays and use different shelves for different dishes. But if you enjoy precision baking or regularly bake multiple trays at once, you may find yourself working harder to get consistent results in a non-fan gas oven.

If you are a keen baker, an electric fan or multifunction oven will usually give you more predictable, repeatable results than most gas ovens.

Preheat times and day-to-day convenience

Preheating affects how long it takes you to start cooking, and it can also influence running costs when you use the oven frequently.

Electric ovens with strong elements and fans can preheat quickly, especially in compact cavities. Some models include rapid preheat modes that prioritise top and bottom elements to get to temperature faster, then switch to a more efficient mode for cooking. In practice, many modern single electric ovens reach typical baking temperatures in just over 10 minutes, though this varies by model and cavity size.

Gas ovens often feel like they are ready sooner because the flame produces intense heat immediately. However, the overall cavity can still take time to stabilise, particularly in larger built-in ovens. For more even baking, it is usually worth waiting until your gas oven has genuinely reached and settled at the target temperature, even if you can smell and feel heat earlier.

Running costs in the UK: which is cheaper?

In UK homes, gas has historically been cheaper per unit of energy than electricity, but electric ovens are often more efficient at turning that energy into consistent, usable heat. To understand running costs, you need to consider both the energy price and how much power your oven uses.

A typical electric built-in single oven might use around 2–3 kWh of electricity during an hour of continuous cooking at a moderate temperature, though actual consumption depends on insulation, thermostat behaviour and how often you open the door. A gas oven’s gas consumption is usually expressed in kW or in cubic metres per hour, which then converts to kWh for billing.

To compare your own costs, you can use a simple approach:

• Check your oven’s rated power (for electric) in kW, or its gas consumption in kW or m³/h.
• Estimate how many hours a week you use it for cooking.
• Multiply power (kW) by time (hours) to get kWh.
• Multiply kWh by your current tariff (for gas or electricity) to estimate cost.

In broad terms, an efficient gas oven often costs less per hour to run than an equivalent electric oven, but the gap can narrow if you choose a highly efficient electric model, cook in batches and make use of residual heat. Features like good insulation, triple-glazed doors and fan-assisted heating, as found on many modern electric ovens such as the Hisense BI62212ABUK, can all help reduce the total energy used per dish, even if electricity is more expensive per unit.

Features, modes and smart options

Gas and electric wall ovens differ significantly in the features you are likely to find, especially if you want convection baking, air-fry-style modes or advanced timers.

Electric oven features

Electric ovens dominate the market for multifunction and advanced built-in models. They commonly offer:

• Fan-assisted or true convection modes for even heat
• Grill and fan-grill combinations
• Gentle or eco modes for slow cooking
• Special functions such as pizza settings or low-temperature baking
• Programmable timers and delay-start options
• Pyrolytic or steam cleaning on higher-end models

Double electric ovens, like the AEG 6000 DEB331010M double oven, often include multilevel cooking, multiple functions in each cavity and clear LED displays, giving you plenty of flexibility for cooking different dishes at once.

Gas oven features

Gas wall ovens usually offer a simpler feature set. You will typically find basic gas oven functions, a grill (sometimes electric), and in some cases a fan to improve heat distribution. However, specialised modes such as air-fry-style settings, eco convection or integrated steam are far more common in electric models.

If you value a wide range of programmable cooking modes, precise low-temperature control or compatibility with future smart home upgrades, electric is generally the more future-proof choice.

Safety and ventilation

Both gas and electric wall ovens are safe when installed and used correctly, but they have different considerations for ventilation, combustion and electrical safety.

Gas oven safety

Gas ovens rely on combustion, so safe installation and good ventilation are essential. Key factors include:

• Installation and servicing by a qualified, gas-safe professional
• Correct flueing or reliance on adequate room ventilation, depending on the design
• Functioning flame failure devices and thermostats
• Regular checks for gas leaks and proper combustion

It is also wise to have a working carbon monoxide alarm in or near the kitchen when using gas appliances. While modern gas ovens include safety systems, blocked vents or poorly maintained burners can still pose risks if ignored.

Electric oven safety

Electric ovens avoid combustion but draw high current, so electrical safety is critical. A built-in electric oven usually needs:

• A dedicated circuit sized correctly for its power rating
• Proper protective devices at the consumer unit
• Installation by a competent electrician in line with current regulations

Ventilation is still important, but mainly for comfort and moisture removal rather than combustion safety. Many homeowners pair electric ovens with a cooker hood or built-in extraction to keep the kitchen comfortable and reduce condensation.

Installation requirements and complexity

How easy your oven is to install will depend heavily on what connections you already have in place. Installation costs can significantly affect the total price of switching fuel type.

Installing an electric wall oven

For many UK homes, installing an electric wall oven is straightforward because most kitchens are already equipped with a suitable electrical supply for a cooker. The main steps are:

• Checking the oven’s power rating and ensuring the existing circuit and protective devices are adequate
• Installing or connecting to an appropriate cooker connection point
• Securing the oven into the housing unit according to the manufacturer’s guidance

If you are upgrading from one electric oven to another and your cabling and consumer unit are already suitable, labour costs can be relatively modest. When switching from gas to electric, you may need a new dedicated circuit, which can add to costs if your consumer unit is full or access for cabling is difficult.

If you want to understand the physical space requirements as well as the electrical side, the wall oven size guide explains standard dimensions and cabinetry considerations in more detail.

Installing a gas wall oven

Installing a gas oven requires a suitable gas supply and compliance with gas safety regulations. Typical steps include:

• Running or adapting a gas pipe to the oven’s location
• Ensuring adequate ventilation and, where applicable, appropriate flueing
• Commissioning the appliance, checking for leaks and verifying correct combustion

If your kitchen already has a gas oven, replacing it with another gas model can be straightforward, though you should still budget for professional labour. If you currently have an electric oven and no nearby gas supply, the cost of adding a gas line may be significant, especially if your meter is distant from the kitchen.

For a deeper dive into the general process of fitting a built-in oven, regardless of fuel type, you can refer to this step-by-step wall oven installation guide.

Can you switch from gas to electric, or electric to gas?

Switching fuel type is often possible, but the practicality and cost depend on your existing services and kitchen layout.

Switching from gas to electric

Moving from a gas wall oven to an electric one typically involves:

• Capping or safely disconnecting the gas supply to the old oven
• Having an electrician install a suitable dedicated circuit for the new electric oven
• Choosing an oven with a power rating that matches what your home’s electrical system can easily support

This route is popular when homeowners want access to features more common in electric models, such as multifunction cooking, better self-cleaning options and flexible timers. Many people also prefer the idea of reducing combustion appliances in the home, even if their overall household energy mix still includes gas elsewhere.

Switching from electric to gas

Moving from an electric to a gas wall oven is less common but still possible. It usually involves:

• Running a gas line to the oven location, if one is not already present
• Ensuring ventilation and room volume meet requirements for a gas appliance
• Potentially leaving the electrical connection in place for the oven’s ignition or for a gas oven with an electric grill

People sometimes choose this path if they strongly prefer cooking with gas, want to benefit from lower gas tariffs for long roasting sessions, or already have a gas infrastructure that makes installation straightforward.

Which cooks better: gas or electric wall ovens?

From a cooking quality perspective, neither gas nor electric is objectively better; they simply suit different styles and priorities.

• Baking: Electric fan ovens tend to win here thanks to even, stable heat and flexible modes. They are especially good for cakes, biscuits and pastries, as well as for baking on multiple shelves.
• Roasting: Gas’s moist heat can be very kind to meats and casseroles, but a good electric fan oven can deliver similarly juicy results while also crisping and browning evenly.
• Everyday reliability: Electric ovens are generally more predictable, as you do not have to account for hot spots or variable combustion. For busy households, that predictability can be a real asset.

If you place a high value on consistent bakes, flexible features and easy-to-understand cooking modes, an electric wall oven is usually the safest choice. If you already love how your gas oven roasts and your priority is running cost and familiar results, staying with gas can still make sense.

Real product examples: what electric wall ovens look like in practice

While this article focuses on the gas vs electric decision rather than individual models, it can help to see how modern electric ovens are specified and what that means for real kitchens.

Hisense BI62212ABUK built-in electric oven

The Hisense BI62212ABUK is a built-in electric single oven with an energy-efficient design and a fan for even heat distribution. Its capacity and layout suit most medium-sized households, and the A energy rating reflects its efficient use of power.

In practical terms, this kind of oven offers consistent baking and roasting performance, a clear control layout and enough functions to handle everyday meals without being overly complicated. For someone moving from a basic gas oven, it would feel like a noticeable upgrade in terms of evenness and usability. You can see current details and specifications for the Hisense BI62212ABUK built-in electric oven online.

AEG 6000 built-in electric double oven

If you regularly cook several dishes at once or want true flexibility for entertaining, a double electric oven such as the AEG 6000 DEB331010M shows what is possible on the electric side. The main lower cavity offers generous capacity and multilevel cooking, while the upper oven adds extra grilling and baking space.

Compared with most gas built-in ovens, a double electric oven provides more programmability and capacity for batch cooking. This can make it easier to prepare roasts, sides and desserts in parallel. If you are specifically weighing up a double oven, it is also worth reading about the best double wall ovens for busy families to see how different designs compare. You can check the full specification and features of the AEG 6000 double electric oven and compare them with your current setup.

Cookology COF600SS fan oven

The Cookology COF600SS is an example of a straightforward electric fan oven with a generous capacity and a programmable timer. This kind of model suits homeowners who want the benefits of electric fan cooking without paying for high-end features they might never use.

For anyone shifting from an older gas oven, an affordable fan-assisted electric oven like this can deliver an immediate improvement in evenness and convenience, particularly for baking and everyday roasting. You can explore the latest information on the Cookology COF600SS built-in fan oven to see how it compares with other electric options.

Gas vs electric wall oven: which should you choose?

Pulling all of this together, the best choice depends on your cooking habits, energy priorities and the practicality of installation in your home.

• Choose gas if: your kitchen is already set up for a gas oven, you appreciate the way gas roasts and casseroles turn out, and you want to take advantage of lower gas tariffs for long cooking sessions.
• Choose electric if: you value even baking, flexible cooking modes and easier access to modern features like fan-assisted cooking, programmable timers and advanced cleaning functions.
• Consider switching fuel type if: you are already planning a kitchen renovation, need to run new services anyway, or want your appliances to align with a broader plan for how you power your home.

If you decide electric is right for you and want to explore what is available across different sizes and price points, the round-up of the best built-in ovens for modern kitchens is a helpful next step, and the built-in oven buying guide walks through capacity, layout and style considerations in more depth.

Related articles

• Wall oven vs range: which cooking setup suits your kitchen?
• Single vs double wall ovens: pros, cons and how to choose
• Standard built-in oven dimensions and sizing guide
• How to clean a built-in oven: self-clean, steam and manual methods

FAQ

Which is cheaper to run in the UK, a gas or an electric wall oven?

Gas ovens usually cost less per hour to run because gas tariffs are often lower per unit of energy than electricity. However, electric ovens can be very efficient, especially fan-assisted models with good insulation, so the real difference on your bill will depend on how often you cook, the efficiency of your specific appliance and whether you cook in batches to make good use of preheating.

Which cooks better: a gas or an electric wall oven?

Electric fan ovens tend to be better for consistent baking and multilevel cooking, as they provide even, dry heat. Gas ovens offer a moist heat that many people enjoy for roasting meats and casseroles, but they can have more hot spots. If you bake a lot, electric is usually preferable; if you love long, slow roasts and are used to working around an oven’s quirks, gas can still work very well.

Can I switch from a gas wall oven to an electric one?

In most homes you can switch from gas to electric, but you will need an electrician to install a suitable dedicated circuit for the new oven and a gas-safe engineer to cap or safely disconnect the old gas supply. Many people choose to upgrade to a fan-assisted electric oven such as the Hisense BI62212ABUK when making this change.

Is an electric wall oven safer than a gas wall oven?

Both are safe when installed and maintained correctly. Gas ovens require particular care with ventilation, combustion and leak prevention, while electric ovens require correctly rated circuits and protective devices. If you are unsure about the condition of your existing connections, it is always worth having a qualified professional check them before replacing or upgrading your oven.